Objective This study was designed to explore the effect of hyperglycemia on the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4 ) in renal tubular epithelial cells and its significance in diabetic nephropathy. Methods In vitro cultured renal tubular epithelial cells ( NRK-52E) were divided into LG group (cultured in 5mmol / L glucose DMEM) and HC group (cultured in 25mmol / L glucose DMEM). Cells were harvested at different time points. Immunohistochemistry, Rt-PCR, Western Blot were used to detect TLR4 protein and mRNA expression, and the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α from the cell culture supernatant were determined by EL1SA assay. Results After 6 hours, there was increased expression TLR4 mRNA in HC group, which appeared to be maintained for 24 hours and began to decrease after 48 hours ( P < 0.05). TLR4 protein expression increased in HC group after 24 hours, and increased even further after 48 hours. Compared with LG groups, the difference had statistical significance ( P <0.05). In HG group, IL-6 and TNF-α expression in the supernatant from the NRK-52E culture were significantly increased ( P < 0.05) , and the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was positive correlated with the expression of TLR4 protein ( r =0.799,0.820). Conclusion High glucose triggers an increase in expression of TLR4 in NRK-52E cells, itself leading to an increase in expression of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6. In this way, TLR4 participates in the progress of diabetic nephropathy.

AIM: To explore the mechanism and significance of the intestinal epithelial cellular membrane damage following burn serum. METHODS: The intestinal epithelial cell(IEC-6) were cultured. The changes of total membranous phospholipid contents fluidity of the IEC membrane were dynamically examined with fluorescence polarization technique and HPCE. RESULTS: In the early stage after stimulation by 20% burn serum, the membranous fluidity obviously decreased. The total phospholipid contents decreased, the content of PLA 2 markedly increased. CONCLUSION: The serial changes in IEC after burned could result in the damages of IEC membrane structure, the integrity of cell membrane and function.

Objective:To determine the plasma level of apelin in patients of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and to explore the relationship between apelin level and carotid atherosclerosis (AS) in MHD patients.Methods:A total of 92 MHD patients and 36 sex-and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.The plasma level of apelin was evaluated by radiation immunoassay;serum endothelial injury markers including thrombomodulin,von Willebrand factor (vWF),and CD 146,and inflammatory factors including high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP),IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by ELISA.Common Carotid arteries intima media thickness (CCA-IMT),cross-sectional calculated intima-media area (cIM area) area and atherosclerotic plaque were measured by non-invasive high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography.Results:The plasma levels of apelin was significantly decreased in MHD patients compared with healthy subjects (P＜0.01),accompanied with elevated plasma levels of thrombomodulin,vWF,CD 146,hsCRP,IL-6 and TNF-α (all P＜0.01).The plasma levels of apelinin in MHD patients with carotid artery plaques were obviously lower than those without plaques [(43.16± 10.12) pg/mL vs (61.43±16.25) pg/mL,P＜0.01].Plasma level of apelin was inversely related with CCA-IMT and cIM area (r=-0.355 and r=-0.297 respectively,all P＜0.01).Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that plasma level of apelin was an independent risk factor for CCA-IMT and cIM area.Conclusion:The plasma apelin in MHD patients might take part in vascular endothelial injury and the progress of atherosclerosis.It plays an important role in the initiation and development of uremia associated atherosclerosis through elevating inflammatory factors including hsCRP,IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

The relevant literatures of Siwu series decoctions--Taohong Siwu decoction for treating primary dysmenorrea of gynecology blood stasis syndrome were summarized including the clinical application, pharmacological effects, bioactive components and metabolic characteristics. On this basis,research on the bioactive components and formulation rule were discussed, to provide reference for modern traditional Chinese medicine formula study.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Dysmenorrhea ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the effects of hydrogen on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons caused by sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal rats.Methods Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 7 days,weighing 12-20 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16 each) using a random number table:control group (group C);sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S);hydrogen group (group H).In C and S groups,the rats inhaled 30％ oxygen and 3％ sevoflurane for 6 h,respectively.In group H,3％ sevoflurane and 2％ hydrogen were inhaled for 6 h.Eight rats in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed at 7 days after birth (after the end of oxygen,sevoflurane or hydrogen inhalation),and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of activated caspase-3 and myelin basic protein by Western blot.At 28 days after birth,8 rats were selected,and Y-maze and Morris water maze tests were performed to evaluate the cognitive function.The total number of entries into each arm,the number of spontaneous alternation,escape latency and time of staying at the platform quadrant were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the percentage of spontaneous alternation was significantly decreased,the escape latency was prolonged,and the time of staying at the platform quadrant was shortened,and the expression of activated caspase-3 was significantly up-regulated,and the expression of myelin basic protein was down-regulated in group S.Compared with group S,the percentage of spontaneous alternation was significantly increased,the escape latency was shorten,and the time of staying at the platform quadrant was prolonged,and the expression of activated caspase-3 was significantly downregulated,and the expression of myelin basic protein was up-regulated in group H.There was no significant difference in the number of entries into each arm in Y-maze test between the three groups.Conclusion Hydrogen can inhibit apoptosis in hippocampal neurons caused by sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal rats.

Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of protein interacting with Cα kinase 1 (PICK1) in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons during remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats with incisional pain.Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, aged 42-49 days, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C) , incisional pain group (group Ⅰ) , remifentanil group (group R), and remifentanil + incisional pain group (group R + Ⅰ).In R and R+Ⅰ groups, remifentanil was infused intravenously for 60 min at the rate of 1.2 p,g · kg-1 · min-1.In C and Ⅰ groups, normal saline was infused intravenously for 60 min at the rate of 0.12 ml · kg-1 · min-1.In Ⅰ and R+Ⅰ groups, the model of incisional pain was established, and remifentanil and normal saline were infused intravenously, respectively, at the same time.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured before normal saline or remifentanil infusion, and at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after the end of normal saline or remifentanil infusion (T1-4).The rats were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain threshold.The lumbar segment (L4-6) of the spinal cord and left DRGs were removed for determination of the expression of PICKl mRNA (by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and PICK1 protein (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, the TWL was shortened, and the expression of PICK1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in R and R+Ⅰ groups, and the MWT was significantly decreased, the TWL was shortened (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in the expression of PICK1 protein and mRNA in group Ⅰ (P＞0.05).Compared with group Ⅰ, the MWT was significantly decreased, the TWL was shortened, and the expression of PICK1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in group R+Ⅰ (P＜0.05).Compared with group R, the MWT was significantly decreased, the TWL was shortened (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in the expression of PICK1 protein and mRNA in group R+ Ⅰ (P＞0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which remifentanil induces hyperalgesia may be related to up-regulation of PICK1 expression in the spinal cord and DRG neurons of rats with incisional pain.

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on the expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) in the hippocampal neurons of developing rats.Methods Thirty-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 7 days, weighing 10-15 g, were equally and randomly divided into either control group (group C) or sevoflurane anesthesia group (group Sev) using a random number table.Group C inhaled 30％ oxygen for 6 h.Group Sev inhaled 3％ sevoflurane for 6 h.Eight rats in each group were sacrificed immediately after the end of oxygen or sevoflurane inhalation, and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of p-CREB.The rats at ages 2 months underwent Morris water maze test.The rats were then sacrificed, and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of p-CREB by Western blot.Results Compared with group C, the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the percentage of the time of staying at the quadrant Ⅱ was decreased, and the expression of p-CREB in hippocampal neurons was down-regulated in group Sev.Conclusion The mechanism of sevoflurane anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity is related to inhibition of p-CREB expression in hippocampal neurons of developing rats.

Objective To compare the traditional electrophysiological testing with modified methods for differential diagnosis of Radial Tunnel Syndrome (RTS).Methods A total of 87 selected patients were initially diagnosed as Lateral Epicondylitis (LE) or Tennis Elbow (TE) by doctors from the Outpatient Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation.Medical history was asked.Patients received physical examination and examinations for the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of superficial radial nerve,the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of radial nerve and needle electromyography (EMG) to record the muscle Motor Unit Action Potentials (MUAPs).Then,the modified methods for CMAP of radial nerve were conducted on the forearm in the neutral,pronation and supination positions.Three values of CMAP latency were compared.RTS was diagnosed when the difference value ≥0.3 ms.The x 2 test was used to compare the positive detectable rates of the two methods for the RTS diagnosis.Results Thirteen out of 87 patients were diagnosed as RTS,among which three had interosseous nerve lesion and one had superficial radial nerve lesion.The traditional EMG failed to diagnose the remaining 9 RTS cases.These patients were finally diagnosed due to their latency difference of radial nerve CMAP ≥0.3ms when their forearms were examined in three positions.Conclusion The modified electrophysiology method shows a higher positive rate for the diagnosis of RTS.(P＜0.05).

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on the infracted area and apoptosis of rats with brain contusion.Methods Feeney's method was used to establish brain contusion model.The 40 rats were randomized into sham-operation,model,acupuncture and naloxone (NX) group with 10 in each.Acupuncture was performed for the rats of acupuncture group and NX was injected intraperitoneally for the rats of NX group.The treatment was done once everyday,7 days altogether.Then the brain histotomy was prepared after all the treatment finished.Computer image analysis system was used to detect the infracted area.TUNEL method was adopted to detect the apoptosis.Results The brain contusion in the model group was severe,there were lots of apoptotic cells and the infracted areas were bigger than the injured areas (P0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can decrease the infracted areas and apoptosis of the rats with brain contusion,being effective in anti-secondary brain injuries.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Simulect for the prevention of acute rejection in renal allograft recipients receiving Neoral-based immunosuppressive regimen. Methods A prospective,multicenter and open-label clinical trial was conducted from March to October 2001.A total of 33 patients [20 men and 13 women; age range,18-63 years;mean age,(42.6?11.6) years] who received first kidney allograft were enrolled.Thirty-two cases had panel-reactive antibody